Titans to Hire Brian Callahan as New Head Coach – What it Means

The Tennessee Titans are set to hire Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan as their new head coach. Callahan replaces Mike Vrabel, who was fired after six seasons in Tennessee.

Zac Taylor brought Callahan in to run Cincinnati’s offense when he was hired as the team’s head coach in 2019. The Bengals struggled in their first two seasons, but took off over the past three years as Callahan worked hand-in-hand with Joe Burrow. The team ranked seventh in points per game in 2021 (27.1) and 2022 (26.1) with a fully healthy Burrow, but fell to 16th (21.5) in an injury-riddled 2023 campaign.

Still, Callahan managed to keep the Bengals afloat after losing Burrow with six games to go in the season. Cincinnati averaged 25.7 PPG with Jake Browning, who never took a single snap in his five-year career prior to being forced into action.

The Titans finished 6-11 straight-up and 7-8-1 against the spread in Vrabel’s final season, and Callahan now faces the difficult task of righting the ship. One of his top priorities will be revitalizing the Titans’ offense the same way he did the Bengals. Tennessee was tied for the fifth-fewest points per game (17.9) and ranked 25th in offensive DVOA last season.

Will Levis enters 2024 as the team’s starting quarterback after taking over midway through his rookie year. He flashed signs of promise, but graded out as Pro Football Focus’ 30th-ranked quarterback. Meanwhile, Derrick Henry told the media he doubts he’ll be back in 2024, meaning Tyjae Spears is likely the team’s primary back. Spears impressed in limited action, grading out as PFF’s 18th overall running back.